With the quarterly earnings season already passed away, Financial Services companies have demonstrated to be the real winners in these turbulent times. The majority of the big banks, with some “excellent” exceptions, have outpaced analysts’ estimates. Cost-cutting and business optimization have been the main drivers for the rump-up in profitability.

Starting from Goldman Sachs, this bank is the main exception in the positive momentum banks earnings are experiencing. While major business lines have reported a solid growth pace, expenses have increased dramatically. Goldman Sachs earnings were deeply affected by litigation costs that the Company accounted in legal provisions, which amounted up to $2.77 per share, or $1.48bn. The Bank is in talks with authorities to settle the misconduct in the mortgage crisis. All the major business lines have shown solid growth. Investment Banking grew 13.4% YoY, with the Bank ranking in the top positions in all major Financial Advisors League…